Synthesis, characterization and in vitro anticancer activity of copper(II) compounds

• Grant number: 23/08730-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: José Clayston Melo Pereira
• Grantee: Enzo Imparato
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most deadly diseases in the world, despite having some treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Metal complexes are a promising alternative for cancer treatment, as seen in cisplatin results. However, it has relevant toxicity, so that its use is limited. In this way, other metals began to be used to form complexes with antitumor potential. One of these metals is copper, which has already had some complexes characterized and presented an antitumor potential and low toxicity to the organism. Herein, we propose to use copper complexes with ligands such as thiosemicarbazones, thiadiazole, methionine, and picolinate as alternative drugs as anticancer agents. The cytotoxicity effects of these new compounds will be tested in assays using the human tumor cell lines MCF7 (ATCC -HTB-22) and normal cell (ATCC - PCS-201-012).